Pivoted bender with pivoted sliding side shapers



NOV. 15, 1949 HUNT 2,487,810

PIVOTED BENDER WITH PIVOTED SLIDING SIDE SHAPERS Filed July 13, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR F 2 -EVERETT M. HUNT Nov. 15, 1949 E, M, HUNT 2,487,810

PIVOTED BENDER WITH PIVOTED SLIDING SIDE SHAPERS Filed July 13, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EVERETT M. HUNT QZIMEW ATTORNEY,

Nov. 15, 1949 E. M. HUNT 2,487,810

PIVOTED BENDER WITH PIVOTED SLIDING SIDE SHAPERS Filed July 15, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR EVERETT M. HUNT ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIVOTED BENDER WITH PIVOTED SLIDING SIDE SHAPERS 9 Claims.

amended April My invention relates to a forming machine. It has to do, more particularly, with a machine which is especially useful in the formation of a metal pan of square or rectangular shape, although it is not necessarily limited thereto.

In producing square or rectangular pans from sheet metal according to the process which I employ, one of the forming operations consists in bending a partially formed metal blank to form the endwalls of the pan. This blank has previously had its sidewalls formed by suitable forming operations. When the endwalls of the pan blank are formed, a tab is produced at each corner, at the junction of the sidewall and endwall, and this tab projects outwardly diagonally from the corner. It is desirable to bend each tab into alignment with the corresponding sidewall of the pan to facilitate subsequent forming operations on the pan.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple machine which is very effective to form the endwalls of a pan blank for a square or rectangular pan, which has had its sidewalls previously formed, and to bend the diagonally extending tabs, formed as a result of forming the endwalls, into alignment with the sidewalls.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a machine constructed according to my invention.

Fig, 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of my machine.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail, in perspective, of the structure for lifting the pan from the forming means.

Fig. 6 is a detail, in plan, of one of the roll units which bends the tab formed at the corner of the pan.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 but showing the tab after it has been bent by the roll.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the operating pedal and associated parts of the machine.

Fig, 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a pan blank showing it before it has been subjected to my machine.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the blank after the end is bent and the tab is formed by my machine.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing the pan blank after the tab has been bent into alignment with the sidewall of the blank by my machine.

With reference to the drawings, Fig. 9 shows the pan blank I in the form that it is received by my machine. It has sidewalls 2 already formed with the exception of the upper edges thereof which are to be subsequently bent around a reinforcing wire. In forming each sidewall 2, the ends thereof are bent or flared slightly outwardly as indicated at 3.

The blank I is to be bent by my machine along the dotted line indicated in Fig. 9. In bending the end of the blank along the dotted line, the endwall 4 (Fig. 10) is formed and simultaneously the portion 3 is bent at the midpoint, indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 9, to form the tab 3a, as shown in Fig. 10, which will extend diagonally outwardly from the corner of the pan blank. The tab 3a will be outwardly formed merely by bending up the end of the blank to form the endwall 4. After the endwalls 4 are formed, it is desirable to bend each of the tabs 3a into the same plane as its corresponding sidewall 2. The pan blank, in the form that it has when it leaves my machine, is shown in Fig. 11 where it will be noted that the tab 3b is in the plane of the sidewall 2. This facilitates subsequent forming operations on the pan blank.

The machine which receives the blank illustrated in Fig. 9 and produces the blank illustrated in Fig. 11 is shown in its general structure in Figs. 1 to 3. It comprises a table 5 that carries the forming units of my machine and which consist of a metal brake or endwall forming unit 6, which forms the endwalls 4, and a pair of forming roll units 1, which operate on the tab 3a.

The endwall forming unit 6 is disposed at the front edge of the table 5. It includes a transversely extending plate 8 which is set on its edge at the forward edge of the top plate 9 (Fig. 4) of the table 5. The plate 8 is removably secured to plate 9 in a suitable manner, such as by metal straps H), which may be welded to plate I! and bolted to plate 3 by removable bolts I l. The plate H is a supporting plate depending from plate 9 and in the same plane as the plate 8 (Figs. 1 and 4), and also may have its upper edge welded to plate 9. The plate H has rearwardly extending bracing plates l2 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) welded to its side edges and to the undersurface of the plate 9. A second plate 13 (Fig. 4) similar to the plate 8 and of substantially the same size is fastened by means of the removable bolts I4 behind the plate The plates 8 and 13 are properly spaced by 3 means of a spacer plate l5, secured in position by the bolts I4 between the lower portions of the plates, which will be of a thickness substantially corresponding to that of the metal of the pan blank. Thus, there is produced a slot I6 between the upper portions of plates 8 and I3 forreceiving the ends of the pan blank I to be formed. The spacer I may be easily removed and replaced with a spacer of difierent thickness to correspond to that of the metal of various pan blanks to. be formed by my machine. The plates 8 and I3 will be of a length corresponding to the distance between the sidewalls 2 of the pan blank I.

Secured in contact with the rear surface of plate I3 by the bolts I4, is the vertical section I1 of a pan blank supporting member I8. The member I8 has a supporting plate section I9 which extends rearwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the vertical section I'I.' The section I"! extends to the same height as plates 8 and I3. The section I9 has its edges tapering towards each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The member I 8 has the reinforcing flanges formed thereon and which extend from the edges of both the sections IT and I9.

A movable forming plate ZI is hinged alongone edge to the upper edge of plate 8 by hinges 2-2. The plate 2-I may be swung from a position where it is superimposed on section I9 of member I-B, indicated in Fig. 4, to a position where it issubstantial-ly vertically disposed, as shown in Figs. 1; and 2f For moving the plate 2|, I provide an arm 23 (Fig. 4). This arm is rigidly connected by a pin structure 2-4 to the plate 2|. The pin structure 24 is substantially perpendicular to plate 2| andthe arm 23 extends at an angle from the pin structure. The end of the arm 2-3 is pivotally connected, as at 25, to the upper end of a piston rod 26; which extends from a cylinder and piston unit 21-.

The unit 21 is supported for swinging movement i-na vertical plane at right angles to supporting plate II by having its lower end pivotally connected, as at 28, to the forward side of plate I I- at its lower end. It will be apparent that actuation of-unit 21 will swing plate Z-tbetween its two positions. A fluid line 29 leads from the upper endofunit 21 while a fluid line 30 leads. from the" lower end of unit 2 1-. These lines are 0011? nected to a suitable control valve 3| (Fig. 1) connected by a line 32 to a source oi iluidunder pressure.

In bending" the ends ofthe pan blank I. the blank. i n the condition shown in Fig. 9, is placed on the machine with its end to be bent inserted inthe slot I 6 between plates 8 and I3. Movement of the end into the slot to a sufiicient extent will be permitted due to the outwardly flared portions 3. However, when the plate I3 is reached by the mainpart of the sidewalls 2, movement into the slot will be stopped. The plate ZI. will be in its vertical position, and the blank I will be vertical as shownby the dotted; lines in Fig. 4. The plate 2 Fisnow actuated by unit 2-1 so that it will swing rearwardly into the position. shown in Fig. 4 and will; bend the blank down into contact with the supporting member I8. The section I9 of member I3 is inclined so that the endwall 4 thus formed will be at a desired angle relative to the bottom of the blank. As the endwall 4 is thus formed, the diagonally projecting tab 3a (Fig. 1-0-) isalso produced. The pan blank may be removed and its other end formed in a similar manner. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the sidewall of the pan blank will be accurately formed and located since it is bent over the upper edge of plate I3 and since the edge of the bending plate 2I lies closely adjacent the upper edge of plate I3. The member I8, plate 2|, and the plates 8 and I3, may be replaced with similar members of different lengths to correspond to the widths of various pan blanks formed by my machine.

As previously indicated, when the end of the pan is formed, the diagonal tab 3a is produced. My machine will bend the tab 3a (Fig. 10) to produce the straight tab 3b (Fig. 11). This tab bendingoperation is performed on each end of the blank by my machine immediately after each endwall is formed and before removing the blank trqm support I8 and reversing it. This is accomplished by the forming roll units 1.

Each of the roll units 1 consists of a track-supporting bracket 3-3 (Fig. 1) which is adjustably mounted by means of a bolt and slot connection 34 (Fig. 3). on the top. surface of the plate 3.. The bracket 33 is thus supported adjacent the side edge of plate but may be adjusted in and out relative to the center thereof. The bracket 3.3 consists of two upstanding spaced supports which are straddled by the outer spaced- .portions of a track unit 35. Pivot bolts 33a connect the units. 33 and 35.. The unit 35 may beadjusted in a vertical plane about the pivots 33a and may be clamped in any desired adjusted position by tightening thev pivot bolts The. inner side. of each unit 35' has a pair of identical tracks 36 formed at its upper and lower sides. Each of the. tracks 36 is of the shape which is shown best in Figs. 6 and. 7. It includes a forward straight edge 31 and a rear laterally extending edge 38 which extends outwardly towards the outer side. of unit 35. A hook portion 39 is formed on track 36 behind the laterally extending edge. 36.

A rotatable form-ingroll 40 is associated with each ofthe units 3-5:. This roll 40 is of fairly large diameter and is of such length that it just fits between the vertically spaced tracks 36. It is carried bya spindle br axle 41 which projects from each end thereof and the projecting portions of: which operatealong te edges ofthe tracks 36. The axle H iscarriedon the forward ends of a pair of vertically spaced links 42 (Figs. 2 and 3). The rear ends of the links 42 are held in spaced relationship by a spacer pin 43 upon which the links are pivoted for swinging movement. Each pin 43 is connected by a pivot connection 44 (Fig. '7) to the forward end of a rod 45 so as to permit swinging of pin 43 about the rod 45 in a vertical plane. Therod- 4-5 is spaced outwardly of the edges; of tracks 36 and to maintain the axle 4I i-nfcontact with the tracks, a spring 46 is associated: with the pin 43; andflinks 42 and tendstoswing the links outwardly about pin 43'. Thus, the axle 4-"I- is maintained in resilient contact with the tracks 36-. V

Each rod 45 extends rearwardly of the table and is reciprocably mounted in a bearing sleeve 41 as shown in Figs. 2-, 3; 6-, and 7;; This sleeve is carried by an upstanding support which has a guide ta-on its lower end which fits into a trans v r e gll file a a ri d on, h u e ur ac of the plate 9. Thus, the bearing sleeves, 41 may be tdlllsted laterally. Ifhe guides 48. may be clamped. in. adjusted. positiqn by, the. clamping strips 50 associated with an. formin a part of the. sui swar. Ther arend Qf' e r is v hd s sp t, F gs n s). to the iqr ard end of a link 52; This link 52 has its rear end pivoted, as at 53, to the upper end of a crankarm The crankarm 54 is splined for axial movement on a transverse shaft 55 which is rotatably mounted in bearing brackets 56 that are secured to plate 9 at its rear edge. The shaft 55 is rocked by means of a lever 51 that has its upper end keyed thereon and its lower end pivotally connected, as at 58, to the rear end of a piston rod 59. This rod 59 extends rearwardly from a cylinder and piston unit 66. The unit 66 is pivotally connected at its forward end, for movement in a vertical plane, as at 6|, to the rear surface of plate ll. A fluid line 62 (Fig, 2) leads from the rear end of unit 60 and a fluid line 63 leads from the forward end of the unit. These two lines connect to a control valve 64 which is connected by a line 65 to a source of fluid under pressure.

It will be noted in Figs. 6 and '7 that the end of the plate 8 is provided with a flange 6a which has a flat outer forming surface. The forming rolls 46 are adapted to roll the tabs 3a (Fig. 10) into contact with these flanges. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that these flanges 8a are disposed at an angle. This angle corresponds to the angle of the sidewalls 2 of the pan blank. If blanks which have sidewalls disposed at a different angle are to be formed on my machine, the plate 8 is replaced with one having flanges 8a disposed at the corresponding angle.

The forming rolls 46 are disposed at the proper angle depending on that of the sidewalls 2 of the pan blank, This angle may be changed by adjustment of brackets 35 about the pivots 33a. This will change the positions of tracks 36. The rolls 46 will be correspondingly tilted by movement of their supporting structures about pivots 44 and they will be maintained in contact with tracks 36 by springs 46. The tracks 36 for the rolls 46 may be adjusted towards and away from each other by adjusting the brackets 33. The rolls 46 may be similarly adjusted by lateral adjustment of members 48 and associated parts. Thus, proper adjustments may be made to permit the machine to operate upon pan blanks of various widths.

Each of the rolls 46 is normally in the position indicated in Fig. 6. If the unit 60 is actuated so that piston rod 59 will be forced rearwardly, a forward push is exerted on the rods 45 and is transmitted to links 42. This pushes the rolls 4i) forwardly. The axles 4| move along the angular edges 38 of the tracks 36, rearwardly towards the sidewalls of the pan, and then along the straight edges 31 of the tracks. The rollers eventually reach the tabs 3a and are of such diameter that they bend the tabs 3a against the surfaces of the flanges 8a, as they roll over the tabs, as shown in Fig. '1. Thus, the straight tabs 31) Will be produced, as indicated in Fig. 11. When the unit 60 is actuated to move the piston rod 59 forwardly, the rolls 40 will be pulled from the position indicated in Fig. '1 to the position indicated in Fig. 6. The axles 4| will move along the straight edges 31 of the tracks 36 until they reach the outwardly directed edges 38 and then will move outwardly, this action being insured by hook portions 39, Thus, the forming rolls 46 will be moved away from the sides of the pan blank.

The pan blank I may have both of its endwalls formed in the manner indicated and the tabs at each end straightened in the manner indicated. To facilitate removal of the pan blank from the support 18 after each end is formed, I provide the structure illustrated best in Figs. 3 and 5.

This structure comprises a rod 66 which carries a small block 61 at each end thereof and which is adapted to engage the edge of the adjacent sidewall 2 of the pan blank. The rod 66 is carried by a sleeve 68 in which it is removably secured. This sleeve 68 has lugs which are pivoted to a lug, as indicated at 69 that is carried by a sleeve 13. The sleeve 16 is slidably carried on one arm of a crank 1 I. The crank 1| is rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve 12 secured to the upper surface of the plate 9. It will be apparent that by rotating crank 11, the rod 66 will be lifted and, consequently, the pan blank will be lifted from the support 18 and this will facilitate its removal.

The valves 3! and 64 are operated at properly timed intervals so that the end forming unit 6 will operate first and then the forming roll units 1 will operate. The structure for operating the valves is indicated best in Figs. 1, 2, and 8. It comprises a transverse shaft 13 mounted in bearing brackets 14 secured to a baseplate 15 which is located adjacent the front of the machine. The ends of this shaft 13 carry the crank disks 16 which are keyed thereon. Connected to each disk. 16 is a pitman 18 which is also connected to the operating lever 11 of the adjacent valve. The pitrnans 18, associated with the valves 3| and 64, are connected to the disks 16 at points substantially 180 apart. Thus, the valves will be actuated at different intervals.

To rotate shaft 13 to operate the valves, I provide a foot lever 19 which has its rear end pivoted at 89 (Fig. 2) to a suitable support 61. An arm 82 extends upwardly from support BI and carries a spring 83 which is connected to lever 19 and aids in pulling it to its uppermost position. The forward end of the lever 19 is associated with a ratchet wheel 84 (Fig. 8) which is keyed on shaft 13. The wheel 84 is provided with a grooved portion in which a chain 85 is disposed. The chain has one end connected to lever 19, as at 86, and the other end connected to a ratchet arm 81 pivotally carried by shaft 13. The arm 81 carries a pawl 88 which engages the ratchet teeth 89. A spring 96, connected to the outer end of arm 81 and to the baseplate 15, normally swings the arm 81 downwardly and lifts lever 19 upwardly into contact with shaft 13.

By pressing downwardly on the forward end of lever 19, the arm 81 is swung upwardly by the pull of the chain 85 and, since the pawl 88 engages ratchet teeth 89, the ratchet wheel 84 is rotated and, consequently, shaft 13 is rotated. As soon as pressure on the lever 19 is released, the spring 90 returns ratchet arm 61 and lever 19 to their original positions shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the shaft 13 may be rotated step-by-step to properly actuate the valves 3| and 64.

It will be apparent that I have provided a simple machine which is particularly effective for bending the ends of a pan blank to form the proper endwalls and to straighten out the resulting corner tab. However, my machine is not limited to such use.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for Government purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon or therefor.

What I claim is:

1. A forming machine for forming a blank of sheet metal having a wall previously formed thereon, comprising a supporting structure, a metal brake pivotally attached to said supporting structure for bending the edge of the blank to form another wall adjacent the first and at an angle thereto and to simultaneously produce a tab extending diagonally outwardly from the corner thus formed, and a forming roll movably attached to said supporting structure and disposed adjacent said metal brake for engaging said tab and bending it to lie in the plane of said first wall and to extend therefrom.

2. A forming machine for forming a blank of sheet. metal of rectangular form having walls previously formed along opposite edges thereof, comprising a metal brake for engaging one of the other edges of the blank and bending it to form a wall substantially at right angles to the first walls and to simultaneously produce a tab at each of the two corners thus formed which extends diagonally outwardly, and movable forming rolls disposed at opposite sides of the metal brake for engaging the two tabs and bending them to lie substantially in the planes of said first-mentioned walls and to extend therefrom.

3. A forming machine for forming a blank of sheet metal of rectangular form having walls previously formed along opposite edges thereof, comprising a metal brake having relatively movable forming members for receiving one of the other edges of the blank and bending it to form a wall substantially at right angles to the first walls and to simultaneously produce a tab at each of the two corners thus. formed which extends diagonally outwardly, one of the forming members of the brake having forming sections on its ends, and forming rolls disposed at opposite sides of the metal brake and movable into cooperative relationship with said forming sections to bend the tabs into contact therewith.

4. A forming machine according to claim 3 including tracks for guiding said rolls from. PO51:- tions laterally outwardly of the brake to positions where the rolls cooperate with said sections.

5. A forming machine according to claim 3 including forming roll supports which are adjustable to tilt the axes of said rolls at the desired angle.

6. A forming machine comprising in combination with a supporting table, a support for supporting the article to be formed, said support "including forming sections at opposite sides thereof, forming rolls for bending portions of the article into contact with said sections and being disposed adjacent opposite sides of said support, supporting structures for said rolls, an operating rod connected to each of said supporting structures for imparting the desired movement to the rolls, tracks for guiding the movement of said rolls supporting brackets movably attached to said supporting table for carrying said tracks, and means for tilting said brackets and said roll supporting structures to tilt the axes of said rolls.

7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said roll-supporting structures are adjustable laterally relative to each other and said tracksupporting brackets are adjustable laterally relative to each other.

8. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said operating rods are reciprocably mounted in bearing sleeves, said sleeves being laterally adjustable, and said roll-supporting structures and said track-supporting brackets being laterally adjustable.

9. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said roll supporting structures include arms mounted for swinging movement relative to the tracks, and spring associated with saidv arms for causing the rolls to resiliently engage the tracks.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 114,311 Maitland May 2, 1871 213,126 Morgan, Sr Mar. 11, 1879 826,807 Slaysman, Jr July 24, 1906 900,394 Kohke Oct. 6, 1908 972,113 Katzinger' Oct. 4, 1910 1,158,703 McGlaughl'in Nov. 2, 1915 2,286,255 Brooks June 16', 1942 

